04 October 2011

Evangeline Lilly Speaks Elvish

Evangeline Lilly at the premiere of Real Steel

Lost alum Evangeline Lilly recently spoke with Access Hollywood about her role as the Woodland Elf Tauriel in Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Lilly, whose character does not appear in Tolkien’s original story, but is instead a creation of director Peter Jackson, spoke of having to learn a new language – Elvish – for the film, even speaking a few phrases (including “The cells are empty”).

She also voiced her concerns over fans’ reception of her character, who was created in an attempt to add more female characters to an otherwise male-dominated story. “Either fans are going to lover her or absolutely despise and be bitter towards her.”

However, she says of Tauriel: "I believe she is truly authentic, because Tolkien refers to the Woodland Elves; he just doesn't talk about who they are specifically. [...] Pete, Fran and Phil, they're not going to create a character who is not true to Tolkien's world.”